Sonic Garden Review

Yes, Virginia. The Long Beach music scene cranks out more than just sh*tty Sublime rip-offs.

RUBYDIVER, a very palatable mix of funk and R&B, comes to you out of Long Beach bringing deep, guitar-based grooves and drum loops with self-described "intoxicating soul melodies and positive lyrics." Considering that their 1998 debut release Superremote sold among the top-ten category in the immediate OC area, the future looks quite luminous for these local SoCal funksters.

The band boasts both solid writing and excellent vocals by singer Paula Duke. Opening locally for national names, their talent-laden sound draws hundreds every time their name is headlined at Orange County venues. RUBYDIVER takes a very Southern California sound, adds their own secret blend of eleven herbs and spices, and puts it into a show you don't want to miss.

"We all get into music ranging from Sting to Tribe Called Quest to Miles Davis to Bob Marley to Beck, and I think that shows in the music we write, whether it's a conscious thing or not," says guitarist/songwriter Erik Hanson. Regardless of what they draw upon for inspiration, what comes out of their hard work is something definitely to taste for yourself.